Beam of light in pitch darkness

2 weeks ago

Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli

KUWAIT
Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced last week that the reform plans
reflected positively on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception
Index for 2018. Kuwait Transparency Society has applauded and endorsed this
announcement as Kuwait improved its rank — 78th out of 180 countries with 41 points
out of 100.

The
report indicated that Kuwait advanced seven notches globally, jumped to fifth
position among Gulf countries and eighth in the Arab world; given that it was
ranked 85th globally in a similar report in 2017.

This
news is like cool water in our mouths, quenching our thirst after a period of
being lost in the desert where the scorching day seems endless.

Indeed,
corruption, which is being witnessed in everything, has hit every pillar of the
society that was known for its honor and integrity before being overwhelmed by
such a dark wave.

In the
past, corruption was limited to certain agencies in the government such as
Kuwait Municipality which HH the Amir described during his tenure as prime
minister: “Its corruption cannot be carried by two camels.” Now, it is
widespread in all pillars of the State along with the executive and legislative
authorities in a manner which embarrasses corruption in the Municipality.

This
good news came three years after the inception of Nazaha. We were eager to
experience its impact in terms of combating corruption.

We
waited for quite a long time due to our thirst for rooting out corruption, not
because we had no confidence in the agency or its members. After the agency
organized itself, it gave us good news about Kuwait improving its ranking in
the corruption index.

We hope
to see more of this improvement year after year until corruption is completely
eradicated.

On
behalf of the honorable people of this country, we extend hands of appreciation
and gratitude to the hard working head of Nazaha – Abdul-Rahman Al-Namash – and
every member of its board, as well as its personnel who have proven that they,
together with their leaders, are competent, sincere and patriotic.

During
one of the occasions at Nazaha, I met its head Al-Namash. I saw and felt in him
the national spirit, diligence and sincerity in his work. He has high sense of
hospitality and courteousness in dealing with those governed by Nazaha Law. I
hope this becomes a trend in government agencies when dealing with the relevant
caliber of citizens.

Finally,
all that is left to say is to fully support those who are sincere in this
nation, hoping to see the fruits of their labor in crushing the caves of
corruption for our society to see more beams lighting up the darkness of
corruption being endured in almost every aspect of life in our beloved country.